VISUAL CONTENT OVERVIEW

Training & Coaching Objectives

Quickly organize thoughts to develop message content.
Create clear and concise presentations.
Clearly think while spontaneously speaking in standing or seated position.
Increase message retention with content that draws mental pictures.
Maintain audience connection without distraction of speaking notes.
Answer questions succinctly and confidently during Q&A sessions.
Manage hostile questions with The Bridge Technique.

Blueprints quickly organize concise thoughts and ideas

Two hands framing two different illustrated diagrams, one showing a light bulb and gears symbolizing ideas and creativity, and the other featuring a brain with related icons representing planning, growth, and innovation.

A “focused brainstorm” best describes the design of Content Preparation Blueprints. Comprised of questions, positioned strategically and connected logically, the blueprints avoid procrastination by prompting on-the-spot answers. To avoid clutter of thoughts and words, small post-it notes are intentionally used to write limited responses.

This technique in organizing concise thoughts ultimately develops concise presentations. Initially, thoughts are organized into presentation cornerstones, which function as notes during a brief, minute or less presentation. The completed post-it notes are then easily transferred to a final blueprint design, constructed for a thorough, yet concise, explanation of the cornerstones.

Content remembered with words drawing mental pictures

Presentation slides showing statistics on storytelling and memory. The first slide states 55% of people say a great story holds their focus during a presentation, with a person speaking on stage. The second slide indicates people are 22 times more likely to remember a fact when it has been wrapped in a story. Both slides feature icons of a book and a wrapped gift, respectively, and credit the visuals to Visme.

To increase the odds that an audience will actively listen, understand, and remember the message, the final blueprint requires the use of Visual Content. By requiring such, speakers appeal not only to audience members’ sense of hearing, but also their sense of sight with words drawing mental pictures.

Without the inclusion of Visual Content, such as stories, examples, and analogies, message comprehension is challenged by abstract concepts. Especially if a message contains complex information presented to an audience for the first time, speakers have difficulty focusing audience attention. Audiences may applaud speeches without Visual Content, but a week later can’t remember much of what was said during the presentation.

Words illustrating roadmap movement increase clarity

A collage of three road signs against a sky background. The first sign is an arrow-shaped sign that says 'WHAT'S NEXT?'. The second sign is a yellow diamond-shaped sign with 'ALMOST THERE!' written on it. The third sign is a green rectangular sign reading 'Turning Point Just Ahead'.

The final blueprint design also requires language illustrating the presentation’s movement. These signposts act as transitions between varying points or sections, providing clear direction for audiences to follow. Such language maintains audience attention, particularly when listeners attempt to connect what they are hearing with what they previously heard.

By using this blueprint feature, a speaker no longer dismisses the importance of an audience following the speaker with precision. Speakers, at the very least, will prepare to eliminate confusion. An audience is likely to clearly understand the presentation because the speaker, as prepared and practiced, will intentionally guide the audience through the message’s movement.